The foundation for Marina del Rey took shape in the early ‘50s when a local couple named Earl and Ethel Joyce purchased a 189-acre farm with lake frontage on both sides. After subdividing it into lots of various sizes, the community we now know as Joyland Beach was born. Many of the original owners had to carry their building materials in by boat and some of them are still residents in the community today. As lots sold and the community grew, Earl and Ethel Joyce decided to hire a local company, McKay Brothers, to dredge a canal approximately 1700 feet long, inland from McPhee Bay, to create more lots with water access. A lot of 40 acres on the eastern side of the canal was purchased by Harry Robbins with the intention of building a marina. He also retained ownership of a 25ft strip on the western side of the canal for maintenance purposes. Construction of the marina started at the beginning of 1968 and the first 15 covered slips were completed and ready to open by May 20th, 1968.
There were two homes built on the marina property, a restaurant of 1400 square feet with 3 dining rooms, 2 kitchens, washrooms, a recreation building and a workshop with boat gantry. All buildings were of Pan-Abode log construction. The Marina was first named "McPhee Bay Harbour Marina" which changed to “Marina del Rey” over the following years. It has had six owners since it was first developed, and a lot of facilities have been added, including a swimming pool, which is now located where the restaurant used to be. Today, the Marina has 160 covered and open boat slips, offers full repair services and provides dockage and storage for boaters wanting to cruise Lake Simcoe and the Trent-Severn Waterway all the way to Georgian Bay.
